Lancaster or Aston for business? Help please

[atomicnotsoblonde]

My YP has offers at both. They would live in halls at either. Lancaster is more expensive en-suite than Aston, but shared bathrooms are cheaper at Lancaster and not an option at Aston.

They have a permanent job now, which they could keep if they went to Aston, but would be unlikely to be able to transfer to Lancaster. They need circa 8/10 hours a week to make the finances work.

I’m slightly concerned about safety at Aston, not an issue at Lancaster. YP is quiet rather than party but likes to be busy. Lancaster is far further from home than Aston, but this isn’t a deciding factor.

Help?! Which is best?! We have to choose by tomorrow. Views on university and chances of getting regular work welcome!

Lancaster - much higher ranking.

Lancaster without a shadow of a doubt.

Lancaster has a very good reputation. I know nothing about Aston. BUT what matters in life is less about the uni attended and much more about what you do with your time there. So getting the best grade possible (1st; 2:1 etc); having employment you can talk about on a CV or in an interview; making the most of everything a uni has to offer, whether it’s societies, sports etc. Putting yourself out there and making the most of the experience - not just partying but thinking career goals etc.

My Dort has just graduated from Lancaster (arts subject though) and we are w midlands based so know Aston area a bit. She had a great experience in Lancaster. The uni was really supportive and lots of fun; the town is small, welcoming and safe - I love Brum a great deal but those adjectives don’t always apply! And it was 2.5 hours up the M6 or a 1.5 hour train from Wolverhampton as far as travel was concerned.

Lancaster all the way for me.

Lancaster, hands down. Great university, campus and town. Easy to get around and cheaper than most for accommodation. It’s a busy town so with work experience they should be able to pick up a job somewhere.

My ds did one year at Aston ( not business) and ended up hating it and starting again at Lancaster. He has been much happier there. Lancaster much nicer for a visit too and close to the lake district etc ( appreciate it's not about the parents though ! )

This is what I need to hear! Thank you and any more feedback is genuinely welcome as I will share with my YP. Such a huge decision for them with very little time. Thanks for helping us!

Lancaster BUT (& it's a big but) how do they feel about an outdoor, college based uni versus a big city Birmingham lifestyle with vast opportunities for gigs, comedy, easy transport links and chicken shops and curry on every street corner?

Manchester is easy to get to buy train for the bigger city vibe

I think they would be ok outside of a city tbh. Good shout on Manchester being fairly local if they do want a city fix.

Have those who have had DC at Lancaster found work ok?

Lancaster isn't great for YP who want to be able to go out in a big city. The trains to Manchester are unreliable and don't run very late, so no good for nights out, theatre etc. But that may not bother them in the slightest.

I work in professional services with many graduates who work for big name employers. I work across the midlands and south west. Grads I've met from Lancaster who have studied accounting & finance, maths, natural sciences or geography do well. Despite having an office in Birmingham, I have never met a business (or otherwise) grad from Aston.

Lancaster for sure!! In the top 10 of universities. Relatively safe, near the Lake District and the coast, an hours drive to Liverpool and Manchester!

Hopefully they are heading back from a party (defo not a night owl!) so we may have a decision later. You have all been really helpful. I will show them this thread. Thanks a million

Lancaster has an excellent reputation.

Lancaster is amazing. Our daughter went there and loved every minute. She worked there after graduating.
Lots of societies to join on campus, great facilities and really safe and friendly. There are often jobs in the colleges and lots of volunteering opportunities etc.

Lancaster. Without a doubt.

Aston is one of those pretend unis that used to be a polytechnic.

Lancaster is brilliant. I’ve never even heard of Aston.

Lancaster is surely a better place to go in uni terms as others say.

Aston is in Brum tho and that's a big city; Lancaster deffo is not, so where would the YP be happier?

Tho tbf to Aston uni, it's not really a pretend uni; my sister's bf went there in 1980 and it was a uni then.

My son is looking at Aston for next year.

It's only ranked a few places below Lancaster for business in the UK but it seems to have a pretty high world ranking for business compared to similar ranked UK universities because it's triple accredited.

It seems to be looked down in the UK because it's general ranking is in the mid 40's.

I get the impression it's pretty well regarded though for business.

It's a 4 year course as have to do a year in the industry from what I can tell

It became a university in 1966, immediately prior to which it was a College of Advanced Technology. One of my friends did postgrad there in the early 1990s and unless her circumstances have changed drastically since we last spoke, she hasnt exactly led a life of abject poverty and distress since. (It's also got a rather nice conference hotel, although some of the rooms could do with either air-conditioning or properly opening windows).

Since you've almost certainly never heard of Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham or Birmingham Newman University either, consider them introduced. All actual univerities, but admittedly, probably for other people's children.

(I'm assuming you have heard of the University of Birmingham and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire? Although - clutches pearls a little here - despite the 'Royal' bit, the Conservatoire is officially part of BCU, but don't tell anyone)

Aston is one of those pretend unis that used to be a polytechnic.

Utter nonsense.

My sister's BF went to university there in the 1970s.

haha @RampantIvy it was clearly a sister’s bf thing lol.

I hate snobbery about unis. There’s a YP on another thread going to UWE (which is a former poly) with IIRC three As – because they loved the very vocational course. Seems like a good reason to me.